I'm looking to do a pumpkin pie flavored mead. I've read some great recipes on here and some great discussion about it. However, I am curious when making a pumpkin pie mead if you really need to add pumpkin. Many beers that are deemed "pumpkin" beers simply add the pie spices (cinn., allspice, clove, nutmeg) and often taste the same. Does the pumpkin actually add all that much flavor? I'm curious what the difference would be between a recipe with pumpkin puree plus spices versus just the spices. Thanks for any thoughts.

No, it's not necessary, especially if you're just looking for that pumpkin spice flavor. But, if you want a real pumpkin flavor, I would recommend it; adds a fuller mouthfeel in the mead (and in beers too; some beers you can really tell they used pumpkin and not just spice). I'd also recommend including some sweet potato, which helps develop that "pumpkin" flavor.

I did the pumpkin pie mead in the pumpkin as the primary fermenter. It turned out great. The pumpkin wall inside turned white. I transferred the liquid out and into a 1 gallon glass fermenter with airlock. I mixed up 2 pounds of honey and 4 cups water, simmered with a cinnamon stick, 2 cloves and half teaspoon of allspice. Let it cool, poured into the one gallon with the pumpkin pie mead. It bubbled quite a lot the first 3 weeks, then settled down. It is true that the pumpkin gives the mead a smooth, almost buttery mouthfeel. I like the idea of toasting the pumpkin for the next time I decide to make it!

I did the pumpkin pie mead in the pumpkin as the primary fermenter. It turned out great. The pumpkin wall inside turned white. I transferred the liquid out and into a 1 gallon glass fermenter with airlock. I mixed up 2 pounds of honey and 4 cups water, simmered with a cinnamon stick, 2 cloves and half teaspoon of allspice. Let it cool, poured into the one gallon with the pumpkin pie mead. It bubbled quite a lot the first 3 weeks, then settled down. It is true that the pumpkin gives the mead a smooth, almost buttery mouthfeel. I like the idea of toasting the pumpkin for the next time I decide to make it!

Do you have a link for the process on this?

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